It’s that time of year again. The holidays are over and I need some prodding to get back to the page. So I’m organizing the annual Artist Circle to begin February 1st and run for 10 weeks using Julia Cameron’s book “The Right to Write.” It’s an e-mail group that utilizes the principles of “The Artist Way.” There are 10 spots open, to be filled on a first come, first serve basis. It is not a critique group, but an opportunity to explore personal strengths and stumbling blocks, and to put pen to page at your own pace; while sharing discoveries with a supportive group. For more information you can contact me at shadowsfall@kathy-dianeleveille.com

If you’re in Hartland next Wed, drop by to say hello. I’ll be reading from “Standing in the Whale’s Jaw” at the Dr. Walter Chestnut Public Library October 22nd at 10:30 a.m. Thanks to the book club for reading “Let the Shadows Fall Behind You.” Looking forward to our discussion! I’m looking forward to the drive up and enjoying the spectacular fall colors.

November 16, 2012: 11:00 a.m. Closing and wrap up. 1:00 p.m. Heading home after lunch and out by mid-afternoon.

FEE: $176.00 which includes single room and board.

This is not a leader-guided writing retreat. Rather it an opportunity to give yourself the gift of uninterrupted time to write. Over the years, Kathy-Diane has created a loose structure that provides touchstones within the weekend’s framework for optional opportunities (between writing) to connect with other writers. How those connections happen vary with the individual and the ultimate shaping of each group. There is no predicting. Sometimes works-in-progress are shared, sometimes tentative ideas are given words and take more concrete shape, sometimes the room door is closed tight and the pen flies across the page. We each go willing to drop the hindrances keeping us from our writing and wait and see what unfolds. Rooms are single and private. E-mail shadowsfall@kathy-dianeleveille.com for more information or to hold a spot. (*NOTE: Cancellations after November 1 subject to a 50% refund/No refunds after November 10).

Hope to see you there! Send me a friend invite on FaceBook….

Happy scribbling,

Kathy-Diane

“Standing in the Whale’s Jaw is a swirling, twisting tale of intrigue. Two bright and daring young women weave through a cast of characters… to solve one great mystery and open their minds to a greater one. A rollicking ride with many surprises along the way.” -Linda Little author of Scotch River

Thanks to Choco-Latte Reader for the 5 chocolate view of “Standing in the Whale’s Jaw:” Choco-Latte Reader says:

I loved this novel instantly from the first page. It was simply beautiful. There was a lot of vivid and breathtaking imagery, as well as an intriguing story line. Elsa is a fifteen year old girl who lives in a time where men dominate over men. Her mother, Rose, isn’t much help for her free spirit, and Elsa finds a confidant and friend in Lavinia; her mentor. When Elsa finds a wounded man, Simon, in her barn, she decides to keep him a secret despite the consequences. However, at the same time, a dead girl’s body is found in the river, and people are scrambling to find the killer.

I felt that this novel was one of self-exploration, for Elsa to find her place in society and life. All characters had a story to them, and I really connected with them all. Each and every character had a bit more of them revealed as the book went on, their life explained. I loved how Elsa matured through the story, and how she managed to find a place for herself, as a woman, in a male-dominated society.

I should have seen that plot twist in the end coming, but I didn’t. It was a nice surprise, and completely unexpected.

This novel was a joy to read, and was a smooth mix of self-discovery and mystery.

Happy summer reading!

Kathy-Diane

“Standing in the Whale’s Jaw is a swirling, twisting tale of intrigue. Two bright and daring young women weave through a cast of characters… to solve one great mystery and open their minds to a greater one. A thoroughly enjoyable read, it’s a rollicking ride with many surprises along the way.” -Linda Little Author of Scotch River

Her second suspense novel, Standing in the Whale’s Jaw, centres around 15-year old Elsa Byrd, a strong girl wise beyond her years. Elsa and her mom have relocated from Saint John to her grandparents’ farm; her father Hal has been admitted to a tuberculosis sanatorium. As mother and daughter attempt to adapt to country life—coloured by what probably is a more palpable case of “women should know their place”—a body of a young girl is discovered, found dead inside a floating dory.

Thanks too to Mind Care for holding their annual “Music is Freedom” event. This year they decided to include a lunch reading with authors. I was so pleased to be asked to take part last Friday. They do so much to help erase the stigma associated with mental illness. So nice to see such a great turn out!

Kathy-Diane

“Picturing ordinary people in extraordinary situations, and recording their impressions with an intense clarity we associate more with black and white photos, Leveille is blessed with a flash of insight that lets the readers see far beyond the surface.” – The Chronicle Journal

Every winter I hold an artist E-Circle that follows one of Julia Cameron’s books (Artist Way). This year’s book is “Walking the World.” We exchange weekly e-mails on the chapter readings and spotlight our individual works-in-progress; mostly it helps to share writing struggles and triumphs. Thanks to all who joined up. Speaking of triumphs, congratulations to member, Elizabeth Copeland, whose novella won the Ken Klonsy novella contest and will be published by Quattro books in the fall of 2014. Wonderful news! And thanks too to Kathleen who shared this inspiring letter from Kurt Vonnegut below that she found on-line:

Dear Xavier High School, and Ms. Lockwood…:

I thank you for your friendly letters. You sure know how to cheer up a really old geezer (84) in his sunset years. I don’t make public appearances anymore because I now resemble nothing so much as an iguana.

What I had to say to you, moreover, would not take long, to wit: Practice any art, music singing dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.

Seriously! I mean starting right now, do art and do it for the rest of your lives. Draw a funny or nice picture of Ms. Lockwood, and give it to her. Dance home after school, and sing in the shower and on and on. Make a face in your mashed potatoes. Pretend you’re Count Dracula.

Here’s an assignment for tonight, and I hope Ms. Lockwood will flunk you if you don’t do it: Write a six line poem, about anything, but rhymed. No fair tennis without a net. Make it as good as you possibly can. But don’t tell anybody what you’re doing. Don’t show it or recite it to anybody, not even your girlfriend or parents or whatever, or Ms. Lockwood. OK?

Tear it up into teeny-weeny pieces, and discard them into widely separated trash receptacles. You will find that you have already been gloriously rewarded for your poem. You have experienced becoming, learned a lot more about what’s inside you, and you have made your soul grow.

Thanks to Hampton High School for inviting me to come and talk about my new book. I visited a few different classes and passed along my top 10 tips for writing a novel. What a talented bunch of young people! I expect great things from these budding authors. Many were dressed in their costumes for that night’s opening performance of Alice in Wonderland in the Hampton Community Theater. Kudos on an excellent performance!

Congratulations also goes out to Hendrien in Saint John who won the $125.00 spa gift certificate in the draw at the book launch and signings preceding Christmas. Who couldn’t use some pampering after dealing with power outages, freezing rain, shoveling, shoveling and more shoveling? Luckily, my family all arrived safely and we were together to celebrate the season via flashlight, wool sweaters and lots of board games. Reminded me of the many camping trips we’ve taken through the years minus the mosquitos.

Wishing you and yours all the best in 2014! May it be rich with opportunity and courage.

And now let us welcome the New Year—full of things that have never been. -Rilke

How wonderful that no one need wait a single moment to improve the world. -Anne Frank

STANDING IN THE WHALE’S JAW

Tightrope Books

Fifteen-year-old Elsa Byrd is on the verge of becoming a woman in the summer of 1935. In a world run by men, it could be more of a curse than a blessing. Elsa's father enters the TB sanitarium and she's forced to live on her grandparents' farm. She stumbles upon a stranger hiding in the barn and decides not to tell a soul. When a dead girl is discovered floating in a dory, it quickly shifts from the kind of secret Elsa wants to hug close, to the kind she doesn't dare let out. Her mentor, Lavinia Twigg, joins the police investigation and Elsa is left teetering between risk and danger, silence and disclosure, trust and fear.

Let the Shadows Fall Behind You

Paperback Edition

When Brannagh’s boyfriend, Nikki, disappears on a bird count in Northern Ontario, she reluctantly returns to her home town, Saint John, for a childhood reunion. Back in grade school, the members of the all-girls club "Tuatha-de-Dananns" vowed to "protect one another's self-a-steam, forever and ever amen."

As Brannagh struggles to solve the mystery behind Nikki’s vanishing, she begins to suspect that someone is taking the club's oath 'to protect one another' too far...even to the point of murder.